CIM-IMPRS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN MUENSTER, GERMANY

The deadline for applications is 26 April 2019.

CiM-IMPRS is a joint graduate program of the International Max Planck Research School IMPRS-Molecular Biomedicine and the CiM Graduate School of the “Cells in Motion” Cluster of Excellence at the University of Münster. The program is jointly run by the University of Münster and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine.

The Ph.D.program offers excellent research and teaching in Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences with a strong emphasis on Imaging. The progam is open to graduates of the biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, computer sciences and physics.

The program is now open for new applications.

CiM-IMPRS is open for highly qualified and motivated students of any nationality.  CiM-IMPRS offer 16 PhD positions in Life and Natural Sciences. More PhD positions financed by work contracts may be offered depending on availability.

Application Schedule 2019

Requirements

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree, or equivalent (e.g. German Diploma), in life or natural sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, physics, chemistry, pharmacy or related fields), in mathematics or computer sciences. Applicants with a state examination in pharmacy can be admitted to work on pharmaceutical/chemical projects.

The date of award of the Master’s (or diploma, state examination) degree must not be more than 4 years ago (i.e. 4 years before the above-mentioned application deadline).

Applications are also welcome, if the required degree has not yet been awarded by the time of application. However, it has to be awarded before positions commence in October.

Adequate English proficiency:

Applicants who are not native English speakers should demonstrate an adequate competence of the English language by one of the following options:

1) acceptable results in an internationally recognized test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) or 

2) proven higher education in English or 

3) reasonably long stay in an English speaking country or

4) simply demonstrating your English language abilities during presentations and interviews in Münster.

Please note: Although an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS) is not required it is very important that you CAN communicate well enough in spoken and written English. Knowledge of the German language is not required.

Students from Münster are also welcome to apply. Please note: Students who are already working in a group of a CiM-IMPRS member (see list of members on this page under “Faculty”) are eligible for a position only, if they will join a different CiM-IMPRS group for their PhD. If you have questions concerning this rule please contact by e-mail cim-imprs.

Research & Groups

CiM-IMPRS PhD projects range from the analysis of basic cellular processes to clinical translation with a strong focus on state-of-the-art imaging. CiM-IMPRS PhD students study cellular behaviour in cells, tissues, animal models or patients. Projects can also focus on the development of mathematical models or new imaging-related techniques and compounds.

• Projects by research areas
• Projects by research groups

Application Procedure

1. Write your application in English language (application form, short curriculum vitae (CV), transcripts and certificates). In your online application you name 1-3 potential CiM-IMPRS groups in which you would like to work.
2.  Identify and inform 2 academic teachers/supervisors who can send reference letters (also see 4).
3.  Submit your application (online). You will receive a registration code.
4.  Ask the 2 referees to submit reference letters using the registration code.
5. We may ask you to have a Skype interview with us between 9 and 15 May 2019.
6. Interviews in Münster (3.5 days, obligatory, we pay for travel and accommodation).

Application procedure in detail

All submitted transcripts and certificates must be in English or German. Certified copies of documents are not mandatory at the time of submission. However, all relevant documents have to get certified upon acceptance to the program.

Your application will consist of 2 pdf files only. The first file will include application form and curriculum vitae (CV); the second will include transcripts, record of study and certificates. Please do not send zip-files. 

Selection procedure and conditions of positions

1. The CiM-IMPRS faculty will select applicants for interviews in Münster (3.5 days). The interviews in Münster are mandatory. You will be informed about the decision no later than the date given above in the application schedule (selection for interviews). We will pay for your travel to the interview symposium in Münster (and back) as well as for your accommodation here. However, costs to obtain visas (visa fees and travel to embassies) are not covered.
2. Interview Symposium in Münster: The symposium consists of interviews (including a short presentation of your Master/Diploma thesis), meetings with potential supervisors and visits of groups/labs. You can book additional meetings and visits on site. In addition, the applicants will present their Master/Diploma work on posters whereas CiM-IMPRS groups will present posters with their projects. There will also be meetings with current students. On the last day of the symposium you will be asked to give a final updated list of three preferred groups/supervisors sorted by your priority.
3. A final decision on acceptance to the program will be made a few days after the interviews. You will be informed about our decision by e-mail.
4. Successful applicants start their PhD projects on October 1st. If you wish, you can also start earlier. However, if you need a visa, please note that obtaining the visa may take several months.
5. Students will receive work contracts with an annual gross pay of 22.950 – 29.800 €. The exact amount depends on the type of work contracts offered by the individual work groups. There are no tuition fees, but PhD students have to register with the university with a contribution of ca. 50 € / month for which they receive a ticket for free public transport in Münster and North Rhine Westfalia (!) and the opportunity to apply for cheap student dormitories.

Important notes

Please apply to this graduate program only, if you find research projects that are of interest to you.

Applications can only be submitted via our online system. The system is available during the above mentioned application period only. The deadline for applications is 26 April 2019.

References should be uploaded by May 1st, 2019. Additions/corrections (see below) can be submitted until late September.

The time between selection for interviews and the interview symposium is rather short. If you need a passport to travel to Germany and you don’t have it yet, please already arrange for getting one or make sure that obtaining passport and visa can be done between 16 May and 4 July 2019. Please inspect the webpage of your German embassy.

Please refrain from contacting our Faculty Members and PhD students by e-mail or phone! During the last application periods some of them have received an extremely high number of messages and calls which is a real burden. Please send an e-mail to cim-imprs  instead.

If you have questions or encounter problems with the application procedure please don’t hesitate to contact the coordinator, Prof. Martin Wild, by e-mail to cim-imprs.

Due to the high number of e-mails CiM-IMPRS usually receive CiM-IMPRS can only answer those questions that are not addressed in the information given below!

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